Jurassic Coast fossil records made available online

Hundreds of scientifically important fossil records from the Jurassic Coast have been made publicly available for the first time in a new digital catalogue.

The Fossil Codes website features more than 600 scientifically important specimens from the rapidly eroding Dorset and East Devon coast.

It means the images and records are now available to researchers, museums and communities around the world, while collectors and fossil hunters can also digitally record new discoveries.

Its launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The digitisation project has been led by the University of Birmingham, with support from Natural England, The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, local fossil collectors and Dorset Council.

It has also updated recording schemes, which set out ethical collecting guidelines and provide a means for people to record scientifically important finds.

Palaeontologist Phil Davidson, of Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, said the new resource made it "easier than ever" for fossil collectors to record and share their discoveries.

Palaeontologist Prof Kirsty Edgar, of the University of Birmingham, said: "By making records of scientifically important fossil discoveries accessible online, this project helps us build a more complete understanding of the Jurassic Coast's fossil heritage and the history of life it preserves."